On IQ and Human Intelligence

October 25, 2018
Updated November 3, 2018
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There are lots of words that are tossed about to describe a measurement of how “smart” we all are and how “dumb” some of our neighbors might be. Now there are terms like “educated, informed, intellectual, intelligent, bright,” and some are even branded as “scholarly,” “genius” or “gifted.”

Ultimately all these labels represent measurements of one or both of two things, namely cognitive capability, and the depth of knowledge and understanding that might be achieved with it over time. And the latter can be described with a single word, “wisdom.”

COGNITIVE CAPABILITY

Cognitive capability is often described using one of the definitions of “intelligence.” It refers to the innate capability of a given brain that is largely determined by genetics and largely amounts to a congenital condition. Whereas any “engine” can be improved with tuning, or degraded with damage, there are basic measurements analogous to “horsepower” and “torque” that can, in spite of complexities of a brain, be meaningfully measured.

For the sake of clarity, “intelligence” should be taken as synonymous to “cognitive capability” for the balance of this writing.

Some have set out to measure the highly variable brains that direct the complex symphony of the human experience ranging from bodily functions to achievements that shape civilization. Most seem to agree that early readings tend to be the most useful. So childhood IQ tests generally are considered the more accurate and less colored by training and experience.

There are different theories on measurement, but my own testing separated what was called “performance” and “verbal” IQ’s and the average between these can be taken as an “overall” number to brag to friends about, or to keep a safely guarded secret. It’s probably not necessary to add that the choice between boasting and discretion is often guided by the score.

Many parents are instructed to keep their kids’ results “a secret” so as not to rob them of pursuing potential by either discouraging them, or in the case of “gifted” children, giving them an impression that they might not need to push themselves now that they already have their biggest “test score” in hand.

And of course as soon as mass testing began to reveal different averages across different groups, the whole subject of testing became controversial, and further exploration became stifled for political reasons.

Apparently the left are all about being “anti-science” when it comes to unlocking knowledge that contradicts the Cultural Marxist dogma held sacred by the left. FULL ARTICLE

Long before Professor Lahn’s research, simple results of IQ testing on American children sparked such outrage in various communities that the practice of testing at all has been heavily discouraged, and in some especially absurd corners, seeking IQ testing for “black” children has been specifically prohibited!

With the political pressure to abolish testing, special programs to maximize potential for “the gifted,” like LYCEUM (in which I was enrolled in the mid 70’s) have largely disappeared. And even publications like Scientific American flirt with a rather anti-science attitude when it comes to research.

Setting all that aside we are left with whatever best residual understandings mostly from research that’s been stopped or stifled. It’s largely accepted that the measurement is designed to treat 100 as the “average human IQ,” but over time the average could be subject to change. We also know that Koko the rather famous gorilla was able to achieve an 85 in spite of whatever “cultural bias” the Al Sharpton might claim to make “fair” testing impossible for the select demographic group he presumes to represent with some authority.

Now when you take into account that the average human is within 15 IQ points of the intelligence of the very lovable Koko, and that there are whole countries that average below his, it should be no surprise that there are differing levels of performance, nor should we be shocked at how most human thoughts are so primitive and disorganized, and how closely human behaviors are mirrored by other primates.

Source Wikipedia

Now if we review the above list, and then factor in race, some could certainly jump to some conclusions about IQ and how they might factor into various demographic groups in the USA and how IQ might in turn relate to political mindsets:

Now for those that are not emotionally or otherwise reluctant to entertain the above as logical steps, there might be some larger questions that deserve consideration. In addition to there being an alternate explanation for racial inequities than “oppression” as the left stubbornly takes as an “only answer,” there is a question about whether a certain level of average intelligence is required for a civilization to flourish or even survive. John Adams declared that our Constitutional Republic can only work with a “highly religious and moral people,” and Thomas Jeffersons said as much in more secular terms. And it really amounts to what I will put in my own words: “An experiment in self government can only be successful with those capable of some of their own self governing on a personal level.”

Those that see an intelligent, self governed population as an obstacle to their own lust for power and authority will likely recognize that a less intelligent population is as good as merchandise on a shelf, and a goal of “dumb down” can be readily achieved by picking and choosing from the “right” global coordinates.

Now I’m not advocating for a race based immigration policy, and there are certainly better ways to ensure that new immigrants are picked with what they might contribute to our great melting pot civilization in the United States, and that all boils down to a system of “merit” based on skills, education, and attitude inclusive of signs that assimilation is a possibility.

That is more than adequate, and obviously less controversial. But we should be aware that Democrats have been conducting their own mass immigration strategies with the realities of average IQ’s and dangerous attitudes very much in mind with a goal that is opposite of what we should consider ideal in our own role in defining our nation’s future for our children and grandchildren.

WISDOM

A very wise man I know very well once said: “Wisdom is the result of the pain of experience over however many years of it. In my somewhat long life, I’ve experienced enough pain in the backside to become quite a wise ass!”

As we already covered, wisdom is the result of cognitive ability being put to good use over time. Whereas that’s a rather broad topic to include in this writing, let’s just conclude with a few seemingly wise enough thoughts.

We are all humans with some common ingredients and some profound differences. Our differences should not be a basis of contempt nor hatred. As some other men who are wise enough assert, at least in the eyes of divinity, we are all created equal. To avoid the baffling of easily confused “intellectuals*,” I’ll add some clarification. We are created equal as humans in our worth as humans. That does not imply equal in ability, nor project equality in achievement, nor should it.

Most have heard knowledge is power. But the powerful aren’t always motivated to share it, and so lies often serve the powerful much better than spreading powerful truth outside of their circles. And so we ought not be all that surprised by the frequency of lies told by an illegitimate body of ruling elite.

Contrary to what the powerful might wish, whatever is revealed in an individual’s search for truth should prevail over the inevitable hostility that might be activated when an “unpopular truth” makes its way into the “wrong hands.” Depending on how far society fails in the protection of free discourse, some measure of courage may ultimately be required to defend it.

*”intellectual,” noun, a person that is educated beyond their intelligence.

New: Black Pigeon Speaks offers a brilliant presentation on intelligence as it pertains to “self interest” and “novelty of ideas.”

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